West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has publicly called for the club to find a resolution to the escalating situation surrounding star midfielder Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian playmaker was absent from the Hammers' FA Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, amid strong interest from his former club Flamengo.
Injury or Exit Strategy?
While the club officially listed Paqueta as unavailable due to a back problem, the timing has fuelled speculation about his desire to leave. Nuno confirmed the player is "still having treatment" on the issue and is not a certainty for this weekend's crucial London derby away at Tottenham Hotspur. "Let's see. We have a couple of days to go," the manager stated cautiously.
Nuno's Plea for a Resolution
When directly questioned about his wish to retain the £51 million signing, Nuno's response was telling. "I think it is a situation we have to solve, all of us at the club have to solve," he said. "We always want the best players to be involved and Lucas is one of the best players. So let's try and solve the situation we have to solve."
This echoes reports that Paqueta has grown disillusioned with life in England, a feeling compounded by the now-dismissed spot-fixing allegations that scuppered a mega-money move to Manchester City in 2023. With West Ham struggling in the Premier League, the allure of a return to his homeland has intensified.
The Flamengo Factor and Contract Standoff
Flamengo's interest is concrete, with reports suggesting an initial £30 million offer has already been rejected by the East London club. Nuno refused to be drawn on whether Paqueta's scenario is akin to a strike or a player simply running down his contract, but reiterated the need for a collective answer. "This is what I said in the beginning. I think it's a solution that we have to find. Us as a club, the player, myself," he added.
The 27-year-old's current deal at the London Stadium runs until the summer of 2027, giving West Ham a degree of contractual control. However, the ongoing saga is a significant distraction. The Brazilian transfer window remains open until March, extending the period of uncertainty for all parties involved.
Nuno emphasised his primary focus is on the team, stating, "My job is to prepare the team with the best players that we have. Lucas is one of the best players. My job is to try and take the best out of all of them." How quickly the club resolves this standoff will be critical to their ambitions for the rest of the season.
